Bartonella: The Overlooked Vector-Borne Co-Infection Driving Neurologic Symptoms

Bartonella is a common co-infection in Lyme disease, often overlooked when symptoms persist despite treatment focused on Borrelia burgdorferi. It can also occur alone, sometimes without obvious symptoms, but chronic infection may lead to arthritis, arteriosclerosis, and other diseases. Bartonella is known to be immunosuppressive in humans, carrying the risk for metabolic and mental health complications.

Bartonellosis is a poorly understood and is routinely overlooked by mainstream medicine. As a result, many cases go undiagnosed, leading to significant and unnecessary human suffering and substantial costs to society. Bartonella can present in many different ways. But the range (of symptoms) is quite substantial. From joint pain, skin lesions of different kinds. All the way up to a full-blown neuropsychiatric illnesses including schizophrenia and psychosis. And even, worst case scenarios, suicide.

Bartonellosis is underdiagnosed, causing significant suffering and costs. Symptoms vary widely, from joint pain and skin lesions to severe neuropsychiatric issues like schizophrenia, psychosis, and even suicide. Common signs include swollen lymph nodes, gastritis, sore feet, muscle twitching, headaches, abdominal pain, skin rashes, tender nodules, fever, anxiety, depression, anger, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.